Social media influencers are “influencing” more than just our fashion choices and travel plans, with new research revealing one in four Australians (27 per cent) are taking health advice from the people they follow online, regardless of their qualifications.
The study, conducted by Heart Smart Australia, revealed that when it comes to taking health advice from an influencer, it isn’t necessarily their health credentials, but rather an affinity to their opinions (55 per cent) and the number of followers they have (25 per cent), that establishes trust for Australians surveyed.
Conducted in consultation with leading cardiologist and preventative health expert, Dr Ross Walker, the research aimed to better understand the sources of information people use for their health advice, and the role social media influencers play within this.
While seeking advice online isn’t new, sadly it seems cost of living pressures are pushing more and more people into seeking cheaper (if not free) options to get answers about their health.
READ MORE: Five of the best brain foods to eat after a night of little sleep
“According to the research findings, some Australians are cancelling (15 per cent) or delaying (26%) medical appointments due to rising living costs – and this number only increases when we look at the behaviours of Millennials (34 per cent) and Gen Zs (34 per cent), the same group taking the advice of influencers regularly,” Dr Walker, Chief Medical Officer at Heart Smart Australia, said.
“It’s not difficult to surmise that given the rising cost of living, Australians are looking elsewhere for quick and affordable ways to get their health questions answered.”
According to the research, as many as one in two (53 per cent) Gen Zs use social media influencers as their go-to source of health advice, over and above that of a medical professional or GP (30 per cent).
This was followed closely by Millennials, who also prioritise influencers when making decisions about their health, (43 per cent) above that of a qualified professional. For people who do admit to following an influencer’s health advice (27 per cent), close to one in two (43 per cent) admit to doing so regularly.
READ MORE: Is Prime Energy actually safe to drink?
And while looking for health advice online isn’t new, Dr Walker notes that the problem occurs when this advice comes from someone without any health credentials.
“At best, the advice an influencer shares might improve your general health literacy, but it is likely to be generalised information based on their particular experience, and not tailored to your needs as an individual,” explains Dr Walker. “At worst, you could be taking on information that is medically incorrect, the consequences of which could be dangerous,” he said.
While influencers aren’t going anywhere, Dr Walker suggests if you’re following them for health advice it’s important to ensure the reason you’re engaging with them online doesn’t simply come down to the fact that you like or align to what they have to say, “Confirmation bias can be as dangerous as taking advice from an unqualified influencer.”
If engaging with social media influencers for health information and #inspo, Dr Walker shares his tips for differentiating whose advice is worth following:
Check their credentials
“While there are lots of ‘wellness’ experts who spruik their lifestyles through perfectly filtered feeds, the reality is many of these individuals haven’t actually got the qualifications or credentials to be handing out advice online,” says Dr Walker.
According to Dr Walker your best bet is to check their qualifications, both tertiary and with governing bodies, and whether they work in an in-person clinic or practice.
Understand the difference between health education and health advice
“There are plenty of influencers online who offer general health education or tips, like suggesting strawberries are good for heart health. This doesn’t mean you go and eat a punnet of strawberries a day and forget about that niggle in your chest,” says Dr Walker.
Recognise when you need to see a healthcare professional
According to Dr Walker, while there are excellent health professionals offering quality advice on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it’s always important to arrange a personalised consultation if you’re looking to address a specific health concern.
“Anyone who’s selling quick fixes is definitely a red flag. The role of a medical expert is to understand your individual needs, and tailor the approach accordingly. If you have a genuine health concern, the best place to seek advice is your healthcare professional’s office, be that a GP, dietitian, or specialist,” Dr Walker concludes.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here
Top budget-friendly groceries for gut health